Push-pull actuator for double latched doors and single bolt latched doors



July 7, 1970 w. M. KRANTZ PUSH-PULL ACTUATOR FOR DOUBLE LATGHED DOORS AND SINGLE BOLT LATGHED DOORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 26. 1967 R O 6 T w N w wm M /Q u K .W M. y R 1 E. s U w M /M 9 2 /w M w Mw B n. M mm mw, @I l .d mm l N [Imgmh m /2 v im w z @wml ATTORNEYS July 7, 1970 W. M. KRANTZ 3,518,854

PUSH-PULL ACTUATOR FOR DOUBLE LATCHED DOORS AND SINGLE BOLT LATCHED DOORS Original Filed Sent. 26. 1957 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WAL TER M. KRNTZ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,518,854 PUSH-PULL ACTUATR FOR DOUBLE LATCHED DOORS AND SINGLE BOLT LATCHED DOORS Walter M. Krantz, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to David Tod, trustee and mortgagee, Hubbard, Ohio Continuation of application Ser. No. 670,580, Sept. 26, 1967. This application Dec. 31, 1968, Ser. No. 796,506 Int. Cl. Etlb 55/06, Etlc 1/12, 13/00 U.S. Cl. 70-149 22 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A door latch actuator employing push-pull operating handles and mechanism operated thereby including a pair of oppositely movable latch operating plungers respectively adapted for conjoint use to actuate a bolt latch carried by one plunger and a door frame mounted spring latch where a double latched door is desired or for respective independent use where a bolt latched door only is desired or a door frame mounted spring latch is desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is a continuation of applicants copending application Ser. No. 670,580 entitled Push- Pull Actuator `for Double Latched Doors and Single Bolt Latched Doors tiled Sept. 26, 1967 and allowed Oct. 10, 1968, and now abandoned. The invention relates to door latching mechanism of the bolt latch or double latched bolt and spring latch type and more particularly to a push-pull latch actuating mechanism composed of a minimum number of parts of simplified construction capable of being produced at low cost and housed within the conventionally drilled openings provided in residential type or similar wooden or aluminum doors. While various door latching mechanisms have been proposed for such usage, the old rotatable knob type actuators are still conventionally provided and widely used in spite of the fact that they severely limit the decorative treatment of the door, are difficult to operate when one is carrying packages, and are, due to the threaded connections normally employed in the handle connector bars and the knobs, subject to frequent inoperativeness, substantial maintenance care and require separable face or mounting plates screw mounted to the opposing door faces and spring biased latch bolts which are subject to ready picking by unauthorized personnel seeking entry. Where push-pull latch actuators have been proposed, the mechanism operated by the handles has required a separate housing housed in a hollow or mortised door edge and supporting the mechanism (see U.S. Letters Patent 1,634,195 to B. W. Johnston, dated June 28, 1957; 2,167,- 287 to H. B. Tobias, dated Nov. l1, 1952, and 2,980,459 to D. E. Schwanz et al., dated Apr. 18, 1961), except for the spring latch type mechanism of applicants prior Pat. 3,339,959 issued Sept. 5, 1967.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a bolt type latch mechanism made up of a minimum number of sturdy parts capable of being produced rapidly and at slight expense by conventional quantity production processes and which require a minimal number of installation operations all of which may be accomplished rapidly by non-skilled labor.

A further important object of the present invention resides in providing a multiple latch mechanism operated by simple push-pull actuating handles the normal actuation of which applies door opening forces in a direction to swing the door from closed to opening position.

' Still another important object of the present invention 3,518,854 Patented July 7, 1970 resides in the provision of push-pull door latch actuator mechanism including latch locking means which disrupts the driving connection between the latch element and at least the outside door operating handle.

A further important object of the present invention resides in the provision of a push-pull door latch actuator mechanism including an outside door mounted assembly unit which may be factory assembled to minimize installation operations and assure maximum security against unauthorized entry by outsiders seeking entry through the door.

A still further object of the present invention resides in providing a push-pull door latch actuator mechanism which may be selectively installed to provide use of either or both a bolt type latch housed by the door or a spring actuated plate latch mounted on the door frame.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a push-pull door latch actuator mechanism with a locking mechanism adapted to disrupt the driving connection to at least the outside operating handle.

A further object of the present invention resides in providing a latch bolt actuator mechanism with push-pull operating handles adapted for mounting on the respective door faces for operation by push-pull forces applied in the direction required to swing the door from closed to open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS `Other objects will appear from the following description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a door and a preferred embodiment of the latching mechanism of this invention providing a double latched door;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. l with the tumbler lock assembly of FIG. l omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken Substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combined striker plate and spring biased latch element employed in the preferred embodiment of FIG. l to provide a double latching of the door;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental elevational view of the upper portion of the outside mounting plate of FIG. l illustrating the T-shaped slot employed in the preferred embodiment and the second alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. l0;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. l illustrating a simple latch bolt embodiment of the present invention with the tumbler lock assembly broken for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the bifurcated end of the plunger member of the embodiment of FIG. 5 and the manner in which the handle connector member cooperates therewith;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the tumbler lock assembly employed in the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the latch bolt embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 6 fitted with the two part handle connector means of FIG. l.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continued reference to the drawings within FIGS. l through 5 illustrate the preferred double latch form of the invention and like reference numerals are ernployed throughout to indicate the same parts, the actuator mechanism 20 of the present invention is illustrated in assembled relation to a door 21 conventionally through drilled at 22 between its opposite faces adjacent edge 23 and intersectingly drilled at 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to house the actuator mechanism beyond the handles 36, 37, namely, handle connector means 53, and plunger actuating means 61 and 62 supportingly mounted on mounting plates 25 and 26, respectively, comprising the outside door face mounting plate and the inside door face mounting plate. Mounting plates 25 and 26 are generally similar in construction and comprise body portions 27 of generally vertically elongated rectangular configuration having integrally formed upper housing portions composed of outwardly and downwardly inclined upper walls 28 and dependent skirts 29 provided along their lower edges with inturned anges 31, generally centered laterally extend ing through slots 32 and 33, and outwardly directed, laterally coextensive support ribs 34 the free edges of which are formed to provide cylindrical journal beadings 35 for mounting respective operating handle members 36 and 37 to be hereinafter described in detail.

Mounting plates 25 and 26 are designed to be rmly secured against the opposite faces of door 21 in centered alignment with respect to through drilled opening 22 of standard 2 inch diameter. While any suitable means may be provided to secure mounting plates 25 and 26 to door 21, the present invention contemplates a single round headed, stepped shank attachment bolt 38 press tted in suitable bolt hole 39 of mounting plate 25 and freely passed through bolt hole 40 of mounting plate 26. Bolt holes 39 and 40 are centered below slots 32 and 33 immediately above support ribs 34. A nut 38a threaded on the end of bolt 38 is provided to draw the plates toward each other as it is tightened to cause an inturned lip 41 formed along the lower edge to bite into the door faces and fix the plates against relative rotation with respect to bolt 38.

Plates 25 and 26 and their respective dependent skirts 29 are provided in laterally centered relation above their respective through slots 32 and 33 with aligned through passages 42 and 43 for respectively receiving the barrel 44 and opposite ends of the rotatable cylinder 45 of a tumbler lock assembly 46 to be hereinafter more fully described.

Respective operating handle members 36 and 37 comprise main body portions 47, dependent offset operating portions 48 coextensive in width with mounting plates 25 and 26 and vertically spaced generally laterally directed C-shaped journal sockets 49 and 51. Sockets 49 are dimensioned to receive and be joumalled on cylindrical journal beadings 35 of mounting plates 25 and 26, assembly being effected by endwise telescoping of sockets 49 over beadings 35. The vertical spacing of sockets 49 and 51 is preset to assure that the center line of socket 51 intersects the center line of respective slots 32 and 33 when handle members 36 and 37 are disposed in their normal vertical positions as seen in FIG. l. Sockets 51 are respectively adapted to journal the cylindrical beadings 52 formed on the opposite ends of handle connector means 53 provided to drivingly connect the upper ends of handle members 36 and 37. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, handle connector means 53 is a two part assembly made up of a lirst member 54 and a second member 55. One end of member 54 is formed to provide cylindrical journal beading 52 connected to socket 51 of operating handle 36 which serves as the outside or push door handle. Member 54 is dimensioned laterally to freely slidingly rest in the stem portion 32a (FIG. 5) of the T- shaped slot 32 provided in outside mounting plate 25 and is of such length that its opposite end, provided with an upstanding laterally centered driving lug 56, will be disposed in door opening 22 approximately midway of the thickness of a standard 1% inch thick wooden door or slightly beyond the midway point of a standard 1% inch thick wooden door so that the handle connector means 53 may be employed with either door size. One end of member 55 is formed to provide cylindrical journal beading 52 connected to socket 51 of operating handle 37 which serves as the inside or pull door handle. Member 55 is dimensioned laterally so its opposite end will freely slidingly rest on the cross portion 57 of T-shaped slot 32` and in slot 33 provided in inside mounting plate 26 and is of such length that its opposite end will be supported as illustrated in FIG. 1 when installed in a standard 1% inch thick door and projected outwardly through slot 32 when installed in a 1% inch thick door. As best shown in FIG. 2, member 55 is provided with an axially directed, laterally centered slot 57 dimensioned to freely slidingly receive lug 56 in end butted contact with the outer slot end when installed in a standard 1% inch thick door and a second wider slot 58 exposing a portion of the upper face of member 54 for a purpose to be presently pointed out.

Member 55 is also provided with a laterally directed upstanding rib 59 located a predetermined distance inwardly from its beading 52 and from the outer end of slot 57 to establish the normal home or start position for connector means 53 and handles 36 and 37 as shown in FIG. 1 when assembled with the plunger actuating means here shown as levers 61 and 62 as will be presently pointed out. To assure a normal driving relationship between members 54 and 55 a light expansion coil spring 63 is interposed between support rib 34 of outside mounting plate 25 and the overlying body portion of member 54 which are respectively provided with spring centering protuberances 64 engaging the opposite ends of spring 63. Spring 63 is slightly compressed when in assembled position to yieldingly bias member 54 counterclockwise in handle journal socket 51 disposing its inner end in position to normally maintain lug 56 in slot 57.

Plunger operating levers 61 and 62 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are journalled on the inner face of inside mounting plate 26 in laterally outward spaced relation to slot 33 and handle connector means 53 by headed journal pins 65 entered downwardly through vertically spaced supporting eye-bolts 66 having souldered shanks 67 extending through suitably located openings in the body portion of mounting plate 26 and provided with clamp nuts 68 (FIG. 2) which draw shouldered Shanks 67 tightly against the body portion of mounting plate 26 to t'ixedly mount the eye-bolts in position. From an inspection of FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be clearly seen that eye bolts 66, journal pins 65 and lever means 61 and 62 are located in the inner end of door opening 22 at opposite sides of handle connector means 53.

Lever means 61 as best seen in FIG. 3 comprises a double arm lever mounted on its journal pin 65 with its hub in end butting relation to lower eye bolt 66 and is provided adjacent its upper end with a drive arm 71 disposed to overlie handle connector means 53 in a plane to intersect rib 59 of handle connector member 55 and a plunger arm 72 angled axially and inwardly beneath handle connector means 53 and provided at its free end with a bottom closed C-shaped journal socket 73. A light coil biasing spring 74 encircling journal pin 65 is interposed between the upper end of the hub of lever 61 and the upper eye bolt 66 with its opposite ends 75 and 76 bent into axially directed position to engage the counterclockwise face of shank 67 of upper eye bolt 66 and the clockwise face of lever arm 71 as viewed in FIG. 2. Spring 74 in the illustrated position of the actuator mechanism parts in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5 is fully relaxed when arm 71 abuts rib 59 and is in condition to be tensioned upon rotational movement of lever 61 in either direction and compressed spring 63 supporting handle connector member 54 seeks a vertical stance with its opposite ends in vertical alignment. As a consequence, handle connector means 53, lever lmeans 61 and handle members 36 and 37 are maintained in their neutral home positions by the cooperative action of springs 63 and 74 when the actuator mechanism is mounted on a standard 1% inch door. When mounted on a standard 1% inch door, handle connector member 54 and its associated operating handle 25 is maintained in normal home position by the vertical seeking action of spring 63 and lever 61 is maintained in its normal home position by spring 74.

Still referring to FIG. 3, lever means 62 comprises a double arm lever mounted on its journal pin 65 with its hub in end butting relation to upper eye bolt 66 due to the presence of the light coil spring 77 interposed between the lower end of its hub and lower eye bolt 66. Spring 77 has its opposite ends 78 and 79 bent into axially directed position to engage the clockwise face of shank 67 of lower eye bolt 66 and the counterclockwise face of drive arm 81 disposed to overlie handle connector means 53 in a plane to intersect rib 59 of handle connector member 55 immediately below plunger arm 82 angled axially and inwardly above handle connector means 53 and provided at its free end with a bottom closed C-shaped journal socket S3. Spring 77 in the illustrated position of the actuator parts in the embodiment of FIGS. l through is also fully relaxed, when arm 81 abuts rib 59 adapting it to function like spring 74 in cooperation with spring 63 to maintain handle connector means 53, lever means 62 and handle members 36 and 37 in their neutral home positions. Cotter pins 84 are preferably inserted through the lower protruding ends of journal pins 65 to prevent disassociating axial movement of pins 65 during shipment and use of the actuator mechanism.

To minimize assembly operations of the actuator mechanism with door 21, the present invention contemplates partial factory assembly of the several parts with their respective mounting plates and 26. To this end, attachment bolt 38 is first driven into its receiving opening 39 in mounting plate 25 to fixedly connect it to mounting plate 25. Tumbler lock assembly 46 is then inserted endwise through opening 42 to position the end of rotatable cylinder 45, held against rotational movement with respect to 'barrel 44 by the lock tumblers, in opening 43 of skirt 29 with the end of barrel 44 resting on inturned lip 41 and end butted against the back face of skirt 29. The angular position of tumbler lock assembly 46 is then adjusted to position the key slot of cylinder 54 in vertical position and barrel 44 is preferably spot welded at 85 (FIG. l) to fixedly secure tumbler lock assembly 46 to mounting plate 25. Handle connector member 54 is then inserted through T-slot 32 and spring 63 is Seated upon support rib 34 centeringl formation 64 and engaged with centering formation 64 of handle connector member 54 and compressed by hand as outside handle member 36 is telescoped endwise to position its journal beading in journal socket 49 and slid laterally therealong while journal beading 52 of connector member 54 is entered endwise into its journal socket 51. When endwise assembly movement of handle 25 is continued sufficiently to establish complete telescoped connection of journal beading 35 in its socket 49, mounting plate 25, handle 36, handle connector member 54, and spring 63 will be fully assembled for unitary handling in mounting thel outer door portion of the actuator mechanism on door 21.

In order to completely isolate the assembled parts against tampering when installed on door 21, the present invention provides end closure plates 86 (see FIG. 2) having oppositely slanted ends 87 and an inturned channel groove 88 inset from the vertical edge covering the exposed edges of body portion 27 of mounting plate 25 and notched at 89 to receive the ends of rib 34. These cover plates for outside mounting plate 25 are preferably apertured inwardly from their opposite ends to receive connector rods 91 peened over at their opposite ends to firmly and permanently fix them to the ends of mounting plate 25, or if desired, may be removably secured in place by a leaf spring retainer 92 like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for mounting closure plates 86 on the inside door mounting plate 26. The connector bar construction provides a more permanent and theft proof arrangement and fClJr this reason is preferred for the outside door mounting p ate.

Partial factory assembly of the cooperating actuator parts associated with the inside door mounting plate is accomplished by securing the eye bolts 66 to body portion 27 of mounting plate 26 and assembling the lever means 61 and 62 and their respective journal pins 65, biasing springs 74 and 77, and cotter pins 84 is proper assembled relation. When these factory assembly operations are effected, the door manufacturer or the installer at the users home completes the assembly by inserting the plunger means comprising plunger 93 formed at one end with cylindrical journal beading 94 and at its other end with latch bolt head formation 95 and plunger 96 formed at one end with cylindrical journal beading 97 and at the other end with latch release head formation 98 into their respective journal sockets 73 and 83 of lever means 61 and 62 effecting an assembly of mounting plate 26, lever means 61 and 62 and their respective springs 74 and 77, and plungers 93 and 96 for unitary handling in mounting on the inner door face. Mounting of this latter assembly unit With the door is first effected by nosing the head formation 95 and 98 through the inner end of door opening 22 into the inner end of right angularly related door opening 24 and then advancing plate 26 toward the inner door face to slide head formations 95 and 98 through door opening 24, the pivotal connections 73, 94, and 83, 97 permitting angular shifting of the plunger means into their normal home positions as illustrated in FIG. 2. Completion of the assembly to the door is then effected by inserting the attachment bolt 38 and tumbler lock assembly 46 of the completed outer door portion of. the actuator mechanism into the outer end of door opening 22 and moving the outer mounting plate 25 against the outer door face while threading attachment bolt 38 and tumbler lock assembly 46 through their respective openings 40 and 42, 43 provided in their mounting plate 26. Once the bolt 38 and tumbler lock assembly 46 are fitted to inner mounting plate 26, the partially assembled inner door portion of the actuator mechanism can be released and will remain in place while the securing nut 37a is threaded loosely onto the threaded end of attachment bolt 38 to hold the inner and outer actuator portions in loosely assembled relation in abutting contact with the inner and ouer door faces. Unitary shifting of the loose assembly to center it with door opening 22 can then be accomplished with one hand leaving the other hand free to wrench tighten nut 38a drawing the plates 25 and 26 toward each other causing the respective lips 41 to bite into the door as the inner plate faces are drawn home into close abutting engagement with the door faces. When drawn home as described, the mounting plates will fix the actuator mechanism against relative movement with respect to door 21 with the outer door portion completely closed to prevent access to the interior mechanism until disassembled from the inside.

The assembly of the inner door portion of the actuator mechanism is then completed by threading connector member 55 through slot 33 angled upwardly to assure its inner end being above the inner end of connector member 54 and then tilting its outer end upwardly using the upper face of slot 33 as a fulcrum to force connector member 54 downwardly against the light biasing force of spring 63 while treading the inner end through the cross arm portion of slot 32 of the outer mounting plate until spring 63 snaps lug 56 into slot 57. When a click is heard indicating entry of lug 56 into slot 57 manipulation of outer door handle 36 is effected. To confirm proper engagement of lug 56 in slot 57 operation of handle 36 is effected to cause back and forth shifting of handle connector means 53 and plungers 93 and 96 in response to actuation of outer door handle 35. Once proper connection of handle connetor members 54 and 55 is effected, inner door handle journal sockets 49 and 51 are telescoped over their respective journal beadings 35 and 52, cover plates 86 and retainer spring 92 are assembled in position, and door edge face plate 101 having respective through openings 102 and 103 to guidingly support plunger 93, 96 are mounted on the door edge by securing screws 104 to complete the assembly on the door and close door opening 24.

As best seen in FIG. 2, face plate 101 is preferably inset into a chiseled notch 105 in the door edge opening through the inner door face and formed along its outer edge with a right angular abutment lip 106 adapted to engage the free end of the combined spring biased latch plate and striker plate 107 of a hingle-like member 108 fixed to the door frame 109 in a notchedout recess 110 disposed opposite guide plate 101 and opening through the inner edge of the door frame by securing screws 104. Hinge-like member 108 preferably takes the form of a simple metal hinge (see FIG. 4) the movable hinge plate of which forms combined latch element and striker plate 107 while the other hinge plate 111 forms a mounting xed to the door frame by screws 104 passing through screws openings 112 formed in spaced angular relation around respective axially aligned latch bolt passage openinsg 113 formed in plates 107 and 108. While any suitable biasing spring may be employed to bias combined latch and striker plate 107 to its normal latching position, the present invention contemplates a thin spring metal strap 114 having its opposite edges 115 curled around the respective upper and lower edges of plate 111 and ernbedded in door frame 109 upon tightening securing screws 104 and a laterally extending tongue 116 struck out of its center portion and exing around its line of juncture 117 with strip 114 disposed toward the hinge pintel edge of plates 107 and 111. In order to limit the outward movement of combined latch and striker plate 107 respective stop tongues 118 are struck out of the hinge pintel journal ears 119 on xed hinge plate 111.

As will be apparent from an inspection of FIG. 2, the notched recesses for guide plate 101 and hinge-like member 108 assures ample space between the door frame 109 and opposing door edge to receive and permit proper operation of guide plate 101 and combined spring biased latch and striker plate 107. At the same time, this notching leaves a substantial thickness of the door and door frame toward the outside of guide plate 101 and hingelike member 108 and permits a close tolerance fit between the door frame 109 and opposing door edge mitigating against entry of a tool between the door and door frame by one seeking to release either latch when the actuator mechi anism is locked as hereinafter pointed out. In addition access of a tool to the free end of combined latch and striker plate 107 to swing it out of latching position is further prevented by the right angular lip 106 of guide plate 101 while spring biasing tongue 116 is disposed to span latch bolt head formation 95 inwardly from the outer door face to prevent entry of a tool or the like into engagement with or into the path of movement of the latch bolt head formation to release it from or prevent it from reaching its latched position.

To permit the door latching mechanism of the preferred embodiment to be locked against operation from the outside of the door, the present invention contemplates that the tumbler lock assembly 46 will be operative to disrupt the driving connection between the handle connector members 54 and 55. This is simply accomplished through slotting xed barrel 121 of tumbler lock assembly 46 at 122 and providing the rotatable cylinder 45 with a downwardly and laterally directed arm 123 formed at its free end to mount a freely rotatable ball 124 (FIG. 1) which normally extends through slot 58 of handle connector member 55 and rides on the exposed portion of upper face of member 54 adjacent one lateral edge of slot 58. Upon insertion of a key, adapted to trip the lock tumblers (not shown) and freeing cylinder 45 for rotation in fixed barrel 121, and turning of the key in a direction to swing arm 123 downwardly through an arc of about 30 to locked position ball 124 will press downwardly on handle connector member 54 against the biasing force of light spring 63 to withdraw lug 56 from slot 57. Withdrawal of the key at this locked position will leave the handle connector members 54, 55 disconnected permitting handle connector member 54 free to reciprocate back and forth in engagement with ball 124 upon actuation of outside door handle 36 without actuating handle connector member 55, which alone is connected to drive lever means 61 and 62. However, handle connector member 55 slidingly guided Ifor movement in the cross arm of T-slot 32 will be retained in driving contact with lever means 61, 62 through lateral rib 59 permitting operation of inside door handle 37 to effect unlatching of the door from the inside. Since biasing spring 63 need have only a light biasing force and as ball 124 is freely rotatable in its socket of arm 123 and over handle connector member 54, no substantial force is required to effect locking disconnection of handle connector means 53.

While the preferred embodiment contemplates the provision of a double latched door, it is to be understood that either of plungers 93 or 96 may be employed or if desired one or the other of plunger actuating levers means 61 and 62 may be omitted to minimize manufacturing expense in event a lower market price door latching means is desired. Such a lower market price door latching means is disclosed in the alternate embodiments which will now be described using the same reference numerals wherever they are applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS The alternate embodiment of FIGS. 5 through 9 comprises a latch bolt actuator mechanism 20a only. It employs mounting plates 25, 26, handle members 36, 37 and cover plates 86 substantially like those of the preferred embodiment, the only difference being that the T-slot 32 of mounting plate 25 is replaced by a slot 33 like that of mounting plate 26 and that spring seat formation 64 of support rib 35 of mounting plate 25 is omitted. Identical reference numerals have, therefore, been applied to those parts.

In this emobidment of the invention handle connector means 53 takes the form of a single piece elongated member 131 formed at its opposite ends with respective cylindrical journal beadings 52 and inwardly from one end with a laterally directed upstanding rib 59 like that previously described. To accommodate the mounting of the actuator mechanism on either a 1% inch or 1% inch door, a thickness difference of inch, the length of member 131 is chosen so its journal beadings will lie in vertically aligned relation to journal beadings 35 of mounting plates 25 and 26 when mounted on a 1% inch door. As a consequence, handle members 36 and 37 will be sloped outwardly and upwardly slightly when mounted on a 1% inch door but not enough to interfere with proper operation.

A single plunger actuating lever 61a, corresponding to lever 61 of the preferred embodiment, and having substantally right angularly related drive arms 71a and plunger arm 72a respectively extending from a common hub at a level above handle connector member 131 and parallel to and to one side of handle connector member 131 is journalled on journal pin carried by vertically spaced eye bolt brackets 66 identical to those previously described. Plunger arm 72a at its free end is formed into a vertically extending open ended journal socket 73a and a light coil compression spring 74 is interposed between the upper bracket member 66 and the upper end of the hub of lever 61a as heretofore described. Arm 72a is provided intermediate its ends along its lower edge with a downwardly opening notch 132 for a purpose to be presently pointed out.

The plunger means of this embodiment comprises a single plunger member 93a corresponding to plunger 93 of the preferred embodiment. Plunger member 93a comprises a main body portion slotted axially as indicated at 133 inwardly from one end to form bifurcated arms 134 and 135 the free ends of which are formed with vertically aligned cylindrical journal beadings 94a adapted to have a loose journal fit in axially spaced portions of journal sockets 73a of plunger arm 72a of actuating lever 61a. The opposite end of plunger member `93a is formed with a latch bolt head formation 95 corresponding to that of the preferred embodiment.

Partial factory assembly of the cooperating actuator parts of this embodiment is effected by securing the eye bolts 66 to body portion 27 of mounting plate 26, assembling the lever means 61a and biasing spring 74 in proper assembled relation, drive fitting securing bolt 38 in its opening 39 and inserting tumbler lock assembly 46 endwise through opening 42 to position the end of rotatable cylinder 45 in opening 43. Lock assembly 46 is then rotated to engage its camming arm 136 in notch 132 and barrel 44 is fixed to body portion 27 by spot welding 85 (FIG. 7). Handle connector 131 is then threaded through slot 33 and inside door handle 37 and closure plates 86 are assembled as heretofore described using leaf spring retainer 92 as illustrated to complete the partial assembly. It is to be understood that connector rods 91 may be employed in place of spring retainer 92 if desired.

Assembly of this partial factory assembly on door 21 is effected by the installer who assembles plunger member 93a by passing bifurcated arms 94a endwise across the main body portion of handle connector member 1'31 to dispose member 131 in slot 133 as shown in FIG. 8 and then guiding journal beadings 94a endwise into socket 73a of arm 72a, upward swinging movement of handle connector member 131 permitting this connection to be made. The installer then grasps the inner mounting plate 36 while holding handle connector member 131 against downward swinging movement and nosing latch bolt portion 95 through the inner end of drilled opening 22 into the inner end of drilled door opening 24 as he moves the partial factory assembled unit toward the inner door face to enter tumbler lock assembly 46, attachment bolt 38, actuating lever 61a, and brackets 66 toward the inner end of drilled opening 22 forcing plunger member 93a outwardly through door opening 24. When inner mounting plate 26 abuts the inner door face, the outer mounting plate is moved into position opposite the outer end of drilled opening 22 and the protruding ends of lock assembly 46, attachment bolt 38, and handle connector member 131 are threaded through their respective openings in outer door mounting plate and securing nut 38a is threaded home to secure the actuator mounting plates 25 and 26 in proper assembled relation on the door as heretofore pointed out. Outer handle 36 is then telescoped endwise over journal headings and 52 and cover plates 86 and retainer spring 92 are assembled to complete assembly. In this embodiment the face plate 101 is employed to guide the free end of plunger 93a while the inner end of plunger 93a is supported and guided by handle connector member 131 through its engagement in the slot 133 provided between arms 134 and 135. As a consequence, the inner end of plunger 93a is elfectively maintained against relative upward and downward movement by handle connector member 131.

Locking of this embodiment of the invention is effected by insertion of a key into locking assembly 46 and rotating lock cylinder about 30 in a direction to swing camming arm 136 upwardly. The resulting upward swinging movement of arm 136 engages the free end of arm 136 with the downwardly facing wall of notch 132 and forces actuating lever 61a axially upwardly along its journal pin 65 sufficiently to position lever arm 71a in a plane above rib 59 of handle connector member 131 so operation of either handle to reciprocate handle connector member 131 will be ineffective to actuate lever 61a. Relatively little force is required to accomplish this disruption of the driving connection due to the loose journal t between socket 73a and journal beading 94a and the fact that a relatively light spring 74 is required to augment the weight component of lever 61a tending to restore lever 61a to its normal operating position.

The further alternate embodiment of FIG. l0 requires no detailed description since it is identical to the preferred embodiment except that lever means 62 and its mounting structure and plunger means 96 are omitted. Like reference numerals are applied to the parts of FIG. l0 to relate the description of the preferred embodiment to this alternate embodiment.

It will be appreciated that the actuator mechanisms of all three embodiments of this invention may be reversely mounted on the door to provide a fully operative actuator mechanism for either an in-swinging or outswinging door and that mounting of the lever means 61a on the mounting plate 25 instead of mounting plate 26 and a reversal of handle connector member 131 will adapt the actuator mechanism of FIGS. 6 through 9 for use on a door hinged at the opposite edge. In order to adapt the preferred embodiment and the embodiment of FIG. l0 for use on a door hinged at the opposite edge opposite hand lever members 61, '62 or 61 respectively mounted on opposite sides of handle connector member 54, 55 are required.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Actuator mechanism for door latching mechanism mountable on a door having a through opening adjacent one edge and an intersecting opening leading to said one door edge of the door comprising:

(a) a pair of mounting plates each composed of a base portion adapted for respective mounting on the opposite door faces overlying the respective ends of said through opening adjacent an edge of the door and each having laterally directed through slots therein and an angularly related support rib extending from one face of said base portion and terminating in a journal beading;

(b) a pair of handle members each composed of a body portion, journal socket means extending from one face of said body portion inwardly from one end and comprising a hollow beading shaped, dmensioned and disposed in parallelism to said one end of said handle member for mating joumalled cooperation with a respective mounting plate journal beading, and journal connector means extending along said one end;

(c) shiftable handle connector means laterally dimensioned and shaped for free axial shifting movement in said laterally directed slots in said mounting plates and the through opening provided in the door and having a laterally extending upstanding rib located inwardly from one end and respective terminal ends formed for journalled connection to said journal connector means so as to form a push-pull connection between said ends of said handle members;

(d) lever means journalled on the inner face of one of said mounting plates for swinging movement in the through opening of the door and having one arm disjosed to engage said laterally extending, upstanding rib and a second arm extending alongside of the adjacently related side face of said handle connector member, said second arm terminating at its free end in journal connector means;

(e) spring means operatively associated with said lever means to bias said lever means in a direction to yieldingly engage said one arm with said laterally extending, upstanding rib to establish the normal latching position of said connector means, said lever means, and said handle members;

(f) plunger means comprising an elongated body having one terminal end formed for journalled connection to said connector means of said second arm of said lever means and extending generally laterally of said connector means to dispose its opposite end projecting through and beyond the intersecting opening leading to said one door edge and terminating beyond said one door edge in an enlarged head portion; and

(g) an apertured face plate iixedly mounted on said one door edge with its aperture aligned with the intersecting door opening and dimensioned to pass said opposite end of said plunger means and slidingly guide said plunger means for axial movement from its normal latching position to unlatching position in response to movement of said handle members, said connector means, and said lever means from their normal latching positions to their unlatching positions.

2. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein said enlarged head portion comprises a latch bolt and the door frame opposite said face plate is recessed and provided with an apertured striker plate positioned to pass and normally cooperate with said latch bolt to maintain the door in closed latched position until withdrawn out of latching engagement upon unlatching movement of said handle members, said handle connector means, said lever means, and said plunger means.

3. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein said enlarged head portion comprises a latch release member and the door frame opposite said face plate is provided with a spring biased latch element having a portion normally angularly protruding away from said door frame into abutting latching engagement with an oppositely protruding lip provided along one edge of said adjacent edge face of the door to normally maintain the door in closed latched position until deflected out of latching engagement upon unlatching movement of said handle members, said shiftable handle connector means, said lever means, and said plunger means.

4. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein said lever means comprises a pair of double arm levers respectively journalled adjacent the opposite edges of said shiftable handle connector means and biased by respective spring means to their normal latching positions, said plunger means comprises a pair of plunger members respectively journal connected to the other arm of one of the respective double arm levers and having respective enlarged head portions comprising a latch bolt and a latch release member, said face plate is provided with respective apertures aligned with said second door aperture to pass and slidingly guide said respective plunger members, and the door frame opposite said face plate is recessed and provided with a combined apertured striker plate and spring latch member positioned'to pass and cooperate with said latch bolt and position said latch element normally angularly protruding away from said door frame into abutting latching engagement with an oppositely protruding lip provided along one edge of said adjacent edge face of said door to provide a double latching of the door until they are respectively withdrawn and deflected out of latching engagement upon unlatching movement of said handle members, said shiftable handle connector means, said pair of double arm levers, and said pair of plunger members.

5. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 together with locking means comprising a tumbler lock assembly tixedly mounted at its opposite ends in said mounting plates and including a camming arm for disrupting the operating connection between said lever means and at least the outside door handle member upon actuating said locking means to its locked position.

6. The actuator mechanism of claim 5 wherein said shiftable handle connector means comprises a first member having a terminal end journal connected to one door handle member, the outside door handle, and extends through said laterally directed slot of said outside mounting plate to dispose its opposite end, having an upstanding lug, within the through opening of said door, a second member carrying said laterally extending upstanding rib and having (a) a terminal end journal connected to the other door handle, the inside door handle, (b) its opposite end slidingly received in said laterally directed slot of said outside mounting plate in overlying relation to said first member of said shiftable handle connector means, (c) a first axially elongated opening therein located to normally slidingly receive said upstanding lug in end abutting relation to the outer end of said axially elongated opening, and (d) a second axially elongated through opening exposing a portion of the upper face of said first member of said shiftable handle connector means; a coil spring interposed lbetween a spring seat formed on the undersurface of said first member of said shiftable handle connector means inwardly from its terminal end and a spring seat formed on the angularly related support rib of the outside mounting plate to bias said first member of said shiftable handle connector means in a direction to normally slidably engage the opposing faces of said first and second members of said shiftable handle connector means and maintain said upstanding lug in said first axially elongated opening n driving engagement with the outer end of said opening; and said camming arm carries at its free end a thrust roller and is located longitudinally of said tumbler lock assembly to normally dispose said thrust roller in spaced position above said second axially elongated through opening and said exposed upper face portion of said first member of said shiftable handle connector means to be swung downwardly when the tumbler lock is actuated to engage said thrust roller with said exposed upper face portion and shift said first member of said shiftable handle connector means in a direction to disrupt the driving engagement of said upstanding lug with said first axially elongated opening of said second member of said shiftable handle connector means thereby rendering the outside handle member inoperative to actuate said second member of said shiftable handle connector means, said lever means and said plunger means.

7. The actuator mechanism of claim 5 wherein one of said mounting plates is provided with spaced brackets carrying a journal pin of greater length than the width of said lever means, said lever means is mounted on said journal pin for axial as well as pivotal movement with one arm overlying said shiftable handle connector means, and said spring means comprises an axially compressible coil spring encircling said journal pin in end abutting relation between an edge of said journaled means and one of said brackets with its opposite ends connected to said one bracket and to said lever means, said spring means being effective to normally bias said lever means axially to dispose said one arm for movement in a plane intersecting one lateral face of said upstanding, laterally directed rib and to swing said lever means around said journal pin into engagement with said one lateral rib face thereby establishing a normal driving connection between said shiftable handle connector means and said lever means and said tumbler lock camming arm is disposed to swing into engagement with said lever means when the tumbler lock is actuated and shift said lever means axially along said journal pin in a direction to compress said axially compressible coil spring and move said one arm out of said intersecting plane whereby said shiftable handle connector means is freely movable with respect to said lever means thereby rendering both handle members inoperative to actuate said lever means and said plunger means.

8. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of said mounting plates, the outside mounted plate, comprises a body portion of generally rectangular configuration having (a) a centered laterally extending through opening of generally T-shaped configuration in cross section, disposed above said angularly related support rib carrying said outside handle member, and (b) a laterally directed inwardly inclined coextensive shield portion extending away from said one face and terminating along its outer edge in a dependent skirt portion paralleling said Ibody portion and terminating short of said through opening, and wherein said shiftable handle connector means comprises a rst member journal connected to said outside handle member and extending through and laterally guided in its movement by the stern portion of said T-shaped through opening to a point approximately midway of said through opening of said door where it is formed with an upstanding, laterally directed lug and a second member journal connected to the other handle member, the inside handle member, and extending through the laterally directed slot of the other mounting plate, the inside mounting plate, the through opening of said door, and the cross portion of said T-shaped through opening of the outside mounting plate, said second member being laterally dimensioned to be guided in said cross portion of said T-shaped through opening for movement in a plane immediately above said first member and having an axially directed opening disposed to normally receive said upstanding, laterally directed lug in end abutting driving contact with the outer end of said opening, and expansion coil spring means interposed between the under face of said first member and the upper face of the angularly related rib of said outside mounting plate to yieldingly support said first member in subjacent abutting engagement with said second member with its upstanding lug in normal driving contact in said recess.

9. The actuator mechanism of claim 8 wherein said one Imounting plate is provided in vertically spaced relation to said through slot with a through bolt opening, a headed attachment bolt having a threaded shank end is mounted in said through bolt opening with its head abutting and ixedly secured to said mounting plate and its shank extending away from the other face of said mounting plate, said first member of said shiftable handle connector means is journal connected to the handle member associated with said one mounting plate, said expansion coil spring is interposed between said first member of said shiftable handle connector means and said angularly related rib of said one mounting plate, and the opposite sides of said one mounting plate are provided wth closure plates abuttingly engaging the side edges of said base portion, the side edges of said angularly related rib and the side edges of said shield portion and dependent skirt portion and fxedly interconnected by means to provide a factory assembled unit for unitary handling during installation, said closure plates, said base portion, said angularly related rib and said shield portion and dependent skirt cooperating to prevent access to said attachment bolt head and said expansion coil spring and disassembly of said handle member and said first member of said shiftable handle connector means.

10. The actuator mechanism of claim 9 wherein said means xedly interconnecting said closure plates comprises rivet means extending between said closure plates.

11. The actuator mechanism of claim 9 wherein said means xedly interconnecting said closure plates comprises inturned flanges on the opposing faces of said closure plates defining respective slots and leaf spring means having its opposite ends received in said respective slots and its midpoint bearing against said dependent skirt portion to tension said leaf spring.

12. The actuator mechanism of claim 9 wherein the dependent skirt of said one mounting plate and the base portion of said one mounting plate are respectively provided with axially aligned openings and locking means, comprising a tumbler lock assembly having a barrel and a rotatable cylinder carried by said barrel with its opposite ends protruding from said barrel mounted in said axially aligned openings with one end of said cylinder rotatably associated with the opening in said dependent skirt and said barrel xedly secured in the opening of said base portion.

13. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein said lever means comprises a pair of eyebolt support brackets lixedly mounted on the base portion of one of said mounting plates in vertically aligned spaced relation at one side of said through slot, a journal pin extending between said support brackets and fixed against relative axial movement with respect to said brackets, a double arm lever having a pair of angularly related lever arms respectively arranged to normally overlie said shiftable handle connector means in driving engagement with one side of said laterally extending upstanding rib and to lie in axial parallelism to said shiftable handle connector means at said one side of said through slot.

14. The actuator mechanism of claim 13 wherein the respective lever arms of said double arm lever project from a hub portion of lesser axial length than said journal pin disposed in end abutting engagement lwith one of said support brackets and said spring means comprises a coil compression spring having its opposite ends bent to form respective axially directed terminal portions coupled to the other of said support brackets and to the adjacently related lever arm of said double arm lever, and locking means is provided comprising a tumbler lock assembly mounted in said through door opening in end supported relation between said pair of mounting plates and includes a camming arm engaging a portion of said double arm lever and arranged to shift said double arm lever axially along said journal pin in a direction to axially compress said coil spring and lift said overlying lever arm to a position clearing said upstanding rib when said locking lmeans is actuated to its locked position thereby disrupting the driving connection between said overlying lever arm and said upstanding rib and freeing said shiftable handle connector means and handle members for free idling movement with respect to said plunger means.

15. The actuator mechanism of claim 14 wherein said elongated body portion of said plunger means is slotted inwardly from said one terminal end to slidingly receive said shiftable handle connector means and be supported thereby adjacent said one terminal end and said one door edge is provided with a face plate apertured in aligned relation to said intersecting opening to slidingly receive and support said body portion inwardly from its opposite end, said opposite end supporting of said plunger means being effective to position and maintain said plunger means in operative position at all times.

16. The actuator mechanism of claim 13 wherein the lever arm lying in axial parallelism to said shiftable handle connector means is provided at its free end with a vertically extending cylindrical formation closed at its bottom end, said one terminal end of said plunger means is formed with a vertically directed cylindrical formation dimensioned to have a mating journalled lit in said lever arm socket in end abutting supporting engagement with said closed socket end and said one door edge is provided with a face plate apertured in aligned relation to said intersecting opening to slidingly receive and support said body portion of said plunger means inwardly from its opposite end, said opposite end supporting of said plunger means being effective to position and maintain said plunger means in operative position at all times.

17. The actuator mechanism of claim 4 wherein said combined apertured striker plate and spring latch member comprises a pair of plate members having intertting hinge pintle socket members formed along respective adjacent ends and aligned through apertures disposed to closely slidingly receive said latch bolt, a hinge pintle fitted to said socket members to connect said plate members for relative swinging movement, and one of said plates adjacent its other end mounts a spring plate having a spring tongue struck therefrom to abuttingly engage the opposing face of the second plate and establish a normal divergency between said plates positioning the other end of said second plate to engage said oppositely protruding lip of said door, and fastening means xedly mounting said one plate to said door frame.

18. The actuator mechanism of claim 17 wherein said spring plate comprises an elongated 'body member the opposite ends of which are return bent to form channels for receiving the opposite edges of said one plate, said spring tongue is struck out of said body member and said return bent ends of said body member are disposed behind said body member upon mounting said combined striker plate and spring latch member on said door frame ot xedly clampingly position said spring plate with respect to said one plate when said fastening means mounts said one plate to said door frame.

19. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 wherein said push-pull handle members and said shiftable handle connector means are arranged on said door in respective correlation to the swinging movement of the door to assure opening movement of the door when the push handle is operated in a direction to push the door open and the pull handle is operated in a direction to pull the door open.

20. Latch mechanism for a door having an internal latch chamber opening through the opposite faces and one edge of the door; comprising handle means including respective pivoted handle members fixed to the opposite faces of the door at the face openings; shiftable handle connector means extending through said chamber and journalled at its opposite ends to said handle members; latching plunger means extending from said chamber through said edge opening and comprising a first plunger the protruding end of which is provided with a latch bolt head and a second plunger the protruding end of which is provided with a spring latch release head; and plunger actuating means comprising respective pivoted lever members interconnecting said plungers and said shiftable handle connector means and disposed within said chamber to operably drive said latching plunger means and includes a portion of said shiftable handle connector means whereby said plunger means may be shifted between latched and unlatched positions under pivotal movement of either handle member.

21. Latch mechanism for a door having an internal latch chamber opening through opposite faces of the door and one edge of a door, comprising handle means including respective pivoted handle members xed to the opposite faces of the door at the face openings, shiftable handle connector means extending through said chamber and journalled at its opposite ends to said handle members, latching plunger means extending from said chamber through said edge opening, plunger actuating means within said chamber operably drive connected to said plunger means and including a portion of said shiftable handle connector means whereby said plunger means may be shifted between latched and unlatched positions upon pivotal movement of either handle member, and tumbler lock means having a camming arm arranged todisrupt the drive connection between said plunger means and that portion of said shiftable handle connector means leading to at least one of said handle members.

22. Latch mechanism for a door having an internal latch chamber opening through opposite faces of the door and one edge of a door, comprising handle means including respective pivoted handle members fixed to the opposite faces of the door at the face openings, shiftable handle connector means extending through said chamber and journalled at its opposite ends to said handle members, latching plunger means extending from said chamber through said edge opening, and plunger actuating means within said chamber operably drive connected to said plunger means and comprising a lever extension of said latching plunger means including a follower means disposed in abutting engagement with a portion of said shiftable handle connector means whereby said plunger means may 'be shifted between latched and unlatched positions upon pivotal movement of either handle member and spring means acting through said lever extension to bias said latching plunger means, said shiftable handle connector means and said handle members to normal latched position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,218,789 3/1917 Lordall 292-92 1,618,344 2/1927 Kopp 70-92 X 2,479,256 `8/ 1949 Radcliffe 292-166 X 2,895,322 7/1959 Pollock 292-166 X 3,264,025 8/ 1966 Hawes 292-166 3,339,959 9/ 1967 Krantz 292-254 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

Patent No. 3'5l8 854 Dated July '7l 1970 Inventor(s) Walter M. Krantz It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 65; "within" should be --wherein.

Column 6, line l0; "is" should be in.

Column 6, line 39; "their" should be --inner.

, line 44 "37a" should be -38a.

Column 7, line 23; 'Screws" should be --screw.

Column 7, lines 24 & 25; "openinsg"should be openings.

, line 34; "strip" should be -strap.

Column l5, line 18; "ot" should be -to.

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